Trunk-top



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(Nummer.)

B. T. SMITH, J. C. STEINMETZ & C. J. PETRY.

TRUNK TOP.

No. 339,227. Patented Apr. 6, 1886.

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l(No Mom.) 2 sheets-sheet 2.

B.- T. SMITH, J. C. STBINMBTZ 8u C. J. PETRY. TRUNK TOP.

No. 339,227. Patented Apr. 6, 1886.

PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN T. SMITH, JOHN C. STEINMETZ, AND CHARLES J. PETRY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

TRUNK-TOP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 339,227I dated April 6. 1886.

Application filed February 20, 1885.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it knownV that we, BENJAMIN T. SMITH, J oHN C. S'IEINMETZ, and CHARLES J. PETRY, all ofthe city of St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Trunk-Tops, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this speci- Iication.

This invent-ion relates to that class of trunktops known as scalcboard7 or veneer7 tops, the apex of the top being at the intersection of the central longitudinal and trans verse arcs, the top descending in curves from the apex in all directions.

The object of our invention is to form ihe top with two bent boards. Tru 11k-tops of the described form are usually made of three-ply veneer. IVe prefer to use two boards of a single thickness with the grain running transversely.

Figures 1 and 2 are respectively perspective views of the two boards of which the top is made. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing one of the boards bent into shape. Fig. 4 is a perspective view o1" one-half of the top, which is divided by a longitudinal line. Fig. 5 is a perspective view ofthe completed top. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a trunkbOx having` our improvement. Fig. 7 is an elevation of a press that may be used to give the required shape to the boards of which the top is composed. Fig. 8 is aperspective view of a strip-tillcr.

The boards are marked n., and are exactly similar in form, except at the edges where they are connected together, the board in Fig. l having a tongue, b, and the board in Fig. 2

having a groove, c, In winch the tongue fits,

and in which it is glued, so that the sections a are made of a general Wedge shape with the edges curved, so as to give the proper form to the iinished top. They are preferably made With the grain running from d to d, Figs. l and 2, so as to extend transversely in the trunktop.

e is a saw cut or kerf made about one inch deep into the grain edges d of each piece to receive a strip, (shown in Fig. 8,) in which Serial No. 156,591. (No model.)

the grain runs lengthwise. The strips are glued in the kerf and prevent the checking of the board at the edges.

In carrying out our improvement the pieces or sections a are formed of lumber about three eighths of an inch thick and thoroughly steamed in a steam-box, and are then put in a press or former Whose bed-die a and moving diem are so constructed as to impart to the sections a the required shape to i'orm each one-half of the top.

In the press O is the pressurescrew, and P guides for the moving die.

The dotted line n, Fig. 7, indicates the po sition of the distant end of the section a.

The ller-strip, Fig. 8, has special value when the bent sections a are kept in stock, as then the grain edges in the absence ofthe filler are liable to check. Then the pair of sections a have been pressed to form, the tongue and groove are glued and forced together, thus forming the top. (See Figs. 5 and 6.) K indicates the transverse joint between the sections.

IVe are aware there is a patent, No. 275,500, of date April l0, 1883, and others; also one issuedto J. Lagowitz, No. 94,009, and one to Clark, Doggett and Burr for a trunk Inade of bent wood, &c. To any subject-matter in these patents we make no claim.

IVe claim as our invention- A barrel trunk-top of concavoconvex shape having the apex of the arc in a central longitudinal line, consisting of two equal transverse sections with the grain of the wood running transversely or the shorter way of the top, and having a saw-cut in the grain ends or sides of the top, and a strip-filler inserted therein to prevent the sides of the top`checking or splitting, substantially as described.

1n testimony whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names this 7th day of February, A. D. 1885.

Vitnesses:

MARTIN J. BIRMINGHAM, EMANUEL BAIER. 

